Research point:Socially committed B&W photographers

Brandt’s photography was produced for books and magazines such as Picture Post , established in 1938. Illustrated magazines became hugely popular helping “supplement a sense of national identity in years of crisis” (Jeffrey, 1981, pg. 244) and becoming “required reading across Britain , satisfying the public’s hunger for ‘the slice of life’ photo story” (Williams , Bright, 2007 ,pg. 83 ) .Brandt was influenced by the surrealist Man Ray with whom he studied during the 19290’s.The English at Home , published in 1936 , and A Night in London 1938 were studies of British society and Brandt “frequently pre-arranged” (Jeffrey,1997 , pg.67) the scenes he photographed , “his brother and sister-in-law Ester are , for instance , entirely convincing as a prostitute and her client ” (Badger ,2007 , pp 84) .http://vimeo.com/63070613

Brandt’s 1948 book Camera in London celebrated peace and recorded an idealistic London , “Brandt’s Londoners read by open windows , move unhurriedly through the streets or enjoy a convivial evening out. Altogether it is a dreamer’s city seen under soft sunlight , river mist and moonlight , animated , in keeping with the times , by dancing children and young lovers” ( Jeffrey , 1981, pp202) .